The keys works hard at presenting an "island" mentality, and in many ways it does remind me of Venezuela. There,(30 years ago) one would constantly hear the phrase "NO HAY", which literally means "there isn't any", but which actually was a universal rebuff which translated to "I can't be bothered to help you". We got a lot of NO HAY in the Keys, from the "whaddya gonna do" shrug of the desk clerk about the non-working WIFI in our $200 a night room, to the oft encountered "Your question, although succinct and direct, indicates a northern impatience for which I will punish you by offering a hazy and confusing non-response" attitude. Now that I am writing this, I realize that the keys are passive-aggressive.
That said, I would return, especially early in the winter, only for THE HEAT. Which was mahvelous.
For those not encumbered with a dog and a trailer, nor dealing with the presidents day holiday, we did discover some recommendable places: SHARKEY'S PUB in Key Largo, behind from which all the dive/snorkel boats leave for the reef; HOLIDAY ISLE, a hotel/marina with a couple of Beachcomber type bars and a beach; ANNE'S BEACH in Islamorada, and SOMBRERO BEACH in Marathon,along with a little area called COCO PLUM, also in Marathon.
If you're looking for beaches, (and you will have to look,they are few) the best bet would be to pay the day use fee at either LONG KEY or BAHIA HONDA State Parks. Both were forbidden to us because of Gordon, but are excellent.
Of course there are also the uber pricey places, Checca Lodge in Islamorada for the fishy set, and Hawkes Key ($465/night on hotels.com when we checked). But if they are out of your price range too,you can while away quite a bit of time in the ubiquitous TIKI BARS. Happy hour is alive and well in Florida.
Just don't go to the keys without a reservation, lest you end up in...
Ha! Glad to see the kids caught up with you! Great pictures! You're having entirely too much fun.
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